Colorado AI VIP: Dave Mayer, connector of people and community builder extraordinaire

Integrity. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? To Dave Mayer, it means everything.

His father, Marc Mayer, was an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and he later served as the Commander of the Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Marc told his son that the only thing someone can really own in their life is their integrity.

Dave recalls first hearing these words from his father at a very young age, and he took them seriously. In fact, when, in 2010, he named his placement firm Technical Integrity, it was with his father – and the wisdom he imparted – firmly in mind.

In the 15 years since then, Dave Mayer and Technical Integrity have epitomized character and integrity, as well as community and culture. And that’s why Colorado AI News is proud to name Dave Mayer as our third Colorado AI VIP.

Technical Integrity’s Mission

In the early days of his recruiting career, Dave realized that the transactional nature of filling contractors' roles with no emphasis on cultural alignment felt somewhat soulless. He knew something was missing for him, and ultimately, he decided to build a "give-first, culture-first and community-first" firm that incorporated the soul into the practice of team-building.

In fact, it was after witnessing the widespread damage of the 2008-09 Great Recession that Dave decided he wanted to take a bold step to move the tech industry – and specifically, the recruiting arm of it – in a more positive direction. He credits Boulder’s Brad Feld and David Cohen, co-founders of Techstars, as providing critical inspiration.

Dave identifies his mission as Give First, which can be summed up as always being willing to give to others without any expectation of return. A few years ago, he wrote a blog post titled, “Giving First Changed My Life," an engaging read that describes his journey from when he first heard of the Give First mantra from Feld and Cohen. And yes, Dave is quick to add, Give First truly did change his life. It’s evident that, through the work of Technical Integrity, this philosophy also has changed lives of countless others along the way.

TI’s Impact on the Community

What’s clear to anyone in Colorado’s tech community, but especially in the startup hubs of Boulder and Denver, is how much of a critical role Dave plays in the intersecting communities of startups, technology, and, in recent years, AI.

For a full quarter-century, Dave has shown his dedication to the local startup and tech ecosystem. And since Technical Integrity’s founding 15 years ago, it’s been a powerful force behind job creation for companies ranging from startups to the largest corporations.

Let’s look at the numbers, which are, frankly, quite impressive. Here’s how Technical Integrity’s record of non-stop activity has benefitted Coloradans and supported the state’s economic vitality:

• Over 2,700 jobs filled (contract and full-time), including hundreds of relocations to Colorado
• Over $100,000 donated to local and national initiatives focused on community and workforce development, STEM and outdoor programs for underrepresented communities, and animal rights   
• Over 15,000 hours of volunteer work and community-building activity
• Hundreds of thousands of job seekers in Colorado and beyond have been helped through the firm’s Give First approach to providing career guidance, reskilling, resume reviews, and constructive feedback

Technical Integrity’s support of Front Range-based nonprofits in the tech and startup space have included Boulder Startup Week, Denver Startup Week, the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit, the Rocky Mountain AI Interest Group, AI Builders, Women in AI, Denver Founders, and many more.

Dan Murray, founder of RMAIIG, the Rocky Mountain AI Interest Group, called Dave a dedicated community advocate who truly embodies the ‘Give First’ philosophy. “I’ve known Dave since I ran an Internet group in the 90’s – he has always been an incredible supporter of our organizations and he reminds us all of the power of gratitude. Beyond that, it’s truly impressive how he actively promotes so many beneficial initiatives within the tech community.”

TI’s Clients Weigh In

Of course, it’s great to be active in the community, but what do Technical Integrity’s clients say? To steal a line from 2Pac and CU football coach Deion Sanders, it ain’t hard to find (out). Just take a look at the Testimonials page of TI’s website and you’ll find a wealth of video and written testimonials, all of which convey one powerful, overarching message: “Technical Integrity is the real deal. They don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk. They care. A lot. And they have never let us down.”

Case in point: Sherisse Hawkins, founder and CEO of Pagedip, located in Denver, said, “Technical Integrity is a cut above the rest. They listened to our feedback and adapted to help us find the right candidate to mesh well with our team. They understand that the best ‘fit’ is not just development skills but communication and learning style, too.”

Echoing these sentiments, Marc Nager, partner at the Durango-based Greater Colorado Venture Fund, had this to say: “Dave and Technical Integrity are steadfast with their community-based values and actions which make them amazingly unique in the talent space. If you’re looking for someone who will have a genuine relationship with you and the talent you are targeting, TI is the right partner.”

Finally, Eric Ryan, co-founder and CTO at Freeplay – one of Boulder’s most dynamic AI companies – nicely summed up the client testimonials with these sentiments:

Technical integrity is an A-plus talent agency that is focused on the human aspect of recruiting and making sure that the culture fit is right for your team. I’ve worked with Dave and his team at Technical Integrity for over a decade … They take the time to really get to know the candidates and the leaders on the side that are hiring for the position and make sure that there is a real mutual fit. I can't recommend Dave and the team at Technical Integrity enough. He makes sure that the right people are in the right place at the right time.

Expanding TI’s Reach

In addition to its core offerings of executive search and full-time team building, Technical Integrity has been at the forefront of an emerging hiring trend: fractional teams.

Recognizing that many AI-driven startups and even established enterprises often need highly specialized talent for short-term, high-impact projects, Dave developed a model that allows companies to bring in executives, top-tier engineers, and product specialists on a part-time, project-specific basis without the long-term commitment of full-time employment.

Fractional hiring allows companies to scale intelligently, ensuring they have the right expertise at the right time while maintaining ultimate flexibility. Dave described it as "fractional all the way down" – a concept inspired by the rise of fractional CFOs and chiefs of staff.

Technical Integrity saw an opportunity to apply this model to AI engineering teams, helping companies that need elite talent but don't yet have the resources to bring on a full-time staff. TI’s fractional model has been growing steadily since its launch, and Dave believes it's a hiring approach that will only gain traction as AI development cycles become faster and more iterative.

A Champion for Rural Entrepreneurship

Dave’s dedication to the Colorado startup ecosystem extends beyond Boulder and Denver. His passion for rural entrepreneurship has been a driving force in fostering innovation hubs across the state. In 2014, he founded Aspen Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit designed to provide mentorship, networking, and funding connections for startups outside the traditional urban centers.

In this role, Dave was a catalyst and bridge builder for entrepreneurs in Telluride, Grand Junction, Durango, and other Western Slope communities, acting as a steering committee member and community activist, alongside friends from Greater Colorado Venture Fund.

Dave’s influence continues today. When he attended Durango Startup Week in 2024, he reconnected with founders and funders pushing the boundaries of innovation outside of metro areas. "Rural entrepreneurship is an important part of Colorado’s startup ecosystem," Dave said. "I’m proud of the work we’ve done to help rural founders get the resources they need to grow."

The Future of Hiring: The Human Touch

At a time when AI is automating many aspects of recruiting, Technical Integrity’s emphasis on human connection remains one of its strongest differentiators. Dave believes that while machine learning models can analyze resumes and even assess technical skills, evaluating cultural alignment and emotional intelligence requires a skilled human touch.

“Recruiting, like AI, is evolving rapidly,” Dave said. “But at the end of the day, AI teams are still built by humans, for humans. And that’s where integrity matters most.”

Sonya Hausafus Joins the Team

Dave recently brought Sonya Hausafus into the company to join forces with him and Head of Talent Gary Bresien. Dave described Gary as not only his best friend but his most trusted mentor going back to 2000.  Sonya will be taking on the new role of Head of Community and Business Development. When asked what attracted Sonya to Technical Integrity, she said, “It’s the very reason ‘integrity’ is at the heart of his company’s name – his unwavering commitment to a community-first, culture-first, and give-first approach to team building.”

Sonya continued by suggesting that these principles resonate deeply with the cornerstones of her own career, and that they are the foundation of the thriving, values-driven companies they both strive to support. “Dave’s leadership and values have already left an indelible mark on Boulder’s startup ecosystem, making it a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive community. It’s a true privilege to work alongside him and contribute to the impactful work he leads.”

As Sonya more fully moves into the Head of Community role, it’s likely that local community organizations may see a little less of Dave at their events. However, the founder and CEO of Technical Integrity is quick to say that Sonya is the perfect fit for the job.

And if anyone should know about cultural fit, it’s Dave Mayer.